Singapore’s MRT is Down and Out~!

Hello Everyone,
I honestly feel that its time SMRT really look into the matters of the frequent train breakdowns; especially when two major breakdowns occur just over two days. To make things worst, the breakdowns occur during extremely peak periods [one in the morning rush hour, and the other one in the evening rush hour]. This I feel is totally unacceptable especially when SMRT has time and time again proclaimed that our train system is world-class.

Some major highlights which I feel are a cause for concern are:

1). Security breaches at the SMRT depots [remember the two vandalism cases?]. SMRT got away with only a fine! What if some terrorist managed to slip a bomb package into the train cabins? Who should be held accountable? Who will be responsible? To think that we have been drilled to be vigilant at all times but what about SMRT?

2). When SMRT wants to fine us for eating/drinking in the train, they do so readily without exercising proper judgement. Yes, I agree that eating/drinking should be prohibited on the train, but seriously, they should have some consideration for those who are feeling unwell. Take for example, if someone is going to throw up because he/she feels really giddy and nauseous, then I think its more acceptable for them to eat some sweets on the train than to throw up in the train. If one is thirsty, plain water should also be allowed for consumption.

3). The way SMRT handles the breakdown is totally unacceptable. This is where I am really utterly upset. There isn’t any genuine care and concern displayed for commuters here. Lack of professionalism I must say!

Look at the following photo. This was an announcement by SMRT to the SMRT Cabbies during the breakdown and the heading of the announcement is Income Opportunity~! I mean, wow, look at that; since when have we become so profit-minded that we neglect the plight of fellow commuters whom were stranded in the stations and trains? Seriously, this is utterly disgusting~! If I could drive [which of course I am not able to do so because of my injury], I would have called my parents/girlfriend/friends and asked them if any of them needed a lift. Yes, the city may be jammed-pack with traffic but who cares, I rather pay the ERP to get those stranded a lift than for them to take a cab which is so freaking expensive~!

This notice was put up at Braddell MRT at 7:30PM and it stated clearly that train service was to resume in an hour time. But you know what, it is only at 8.56PM when SMRT said that North-Bound train service between Marina Bay and Bishan stations will be closed and will not be up for the night. The time difference for them to provide proper updates is more than 1 hour! Do you know how much people can do in an hour?

Yes, what you are seeing in the photos below are true accounts. Lights on the train were partially off and there was no air-conditioning nor ventilation. With the train cabins being packed like sardines, you can imagine the heat build-up and the lack of oxygen. A lady was reported to have fainted on the train and as a result, a passenger used the fire extinguisher to smash the window so as to allow air to come in. The intercom button was also pressed to alert the train driver of a medical condition but there was no reply. In such a condition, who is responsible for the lady’s medical expenses? Why did the train driver not reply through the intercom? Do they know that the passengers stranded haven’t had their dinner? Do they know that some of the passengers could very well be rushing off to see a dying loved one? Do they know that some passengers could very well be meeting a client for the signing of a million dollar contract? Who will be responsible for the lost time/opportunity cost of the passenger’s time?

Alright, I know I am being extreme here but seriously, the way SMRT handled the breakdown was a very big let-down because even though shuttle bus services were activated, it was of no apparent use as they were all crammed with passengers and there weren’t sufficient shuttle buses. Even if one is able to get a refund for the trip made, seriously, is a refund sufficient for the loss of time? I daresay a refund cost less than $3 per passenger. But how many professionals and executives were stranded? Time is precious and perhaps maybe for them, an hour of their time could be worth $50 or even more~!

I always believe in this, that everything rises and falls on leadership. And that being said, we should point our fingers on the management of SMRT and let them address the issues regarding the breakdown themselves~! Just for your information, I have ploughed through 3 annual reports of SMRT and here are some interesting facts that many of you may not be aware about.

The CEO of SMRT earned an astounding amount of $1,310,298 in 2008, $1,560,344 in 2009, and $1,668,747 in 2010. That’s an increase of $358449 over a period of 3 years which is an average of $119483 a year!

The Revenue of SMRT was 436.9 million dollars in 2008, 474.3 million dollars in 2009, and 480.7 million dollars in 2010. So when SMRT are earning so much revenue, have they put into consideration how to better improve their train services?

Temasek Holdings is the largest shareholder of SMRT [at 54%], no need for me to elaborate any further.

And go look at their operating expenses in the following figure. Staff costs account for almost 40% of their total operating expenses whereas repair and maintenance only accounts for only 11% of their operating costs~! Can’t they reduce the staff costs and allocate more resources for repair and maintenance or at least do some research and development to improve train service efficiency?

The following figure is the most interesting one. The CEO’s pay is the highest and even when you combine the rest of the directors’ pay [total is only $592920], it can’t match up to the CEO’s pay of $1,310,298~! Whoa!

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Melvin is an experienced Swimming Coach, Outdoor Teacher, and Youth Leadership Trainer with more than 8 years of experience. During his free time, he enjoys a healthy dose of reading, travelling and writing.

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About The Founder

A jack of all trades, Melvin was a waiter, coffee barista, hotelier, and is now a digital marketer specialising in Search Engine Optimisation. His hobbies include wine-tasting, boating, reading and travelling.